Canadiens News

Time to qualify

MONTREAL – With the countdown to the opening of the free agent market on July 1 well underway, the Canadiens have tendered qualifying offers to six of their players.

By doing so, the Habs now have the right to match any outside offer that might be sent to the restricted free agents, unless a contract is reached before July 1.

Andrei Kostitsyn, who had a breakout season alongside Alex Kovalev and Tomas Plekanec, headlines Montreal’s list of RFAs, after scoring 26 goals and 27 assists in his first full NHL campaign.

Defensemen Josh Gorges and Ryan O’Byrne, forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Corey Locke and goaltender Jaroslav Halak are the other five to have been qualified.

Players have until July 15 to accept or decline the offer.Depending on their NHL experience, certain restricted free agents who decline their team’s qualifying offer can opt to go to arbitration to settle their contract.